Strawtown Family Newsletter

Dear Strawtown Families,

March is truly a month of transition. We will be ending our second-trimester this month and officially beginning the last one-third of the 2024-2025 school year. It is always hard to believe how fast the time quickly goes by each year. In September, we are all anxious to begin, by June we are tired and eager to finish, but it is this time of the year, where we can reflect to truly see the growth and progress our students are making in the classrooms. Report cards will released on the Parent Portal on March 21st and our Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on March 27th in the evening and March 28th during the day. Sign up for conferences will once again be using the PTC Wizard platform that was used for Fall Conferences. As we enter into the conversations, I want to remind everyone that student progress is not linear, past success does not always predict future success and past struggles don't dictate future struggle. Each child develops at their own rate and I know the teachers do an amazing job in promoting that growth. We look forward to good conversations this month between home and school!

In Partnership,

Colin Andersen

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Six-Day Schedule:

As stated in Dr. Baiocco's email on February 13th, next year the district will be shifting away from our current Monday to Friday schedule and shift to a rotating six-day cycle where the days are labeled 1,2,3,4,5,6. In case you missed the communication a copy of the Superintendent's letter can be found here using this link.

Assemblies & Workshops:

We have some exciting events upcoming for our students this month! We have Dino Rocks coming on March 10th to talk about fossils and dinosaurs to match our time traveling theme associated with PARP. We will also begin our grade-level workshops too. Grade 1 will engage in a Yoga workshop on mindfulness with Peace in Piermont, Grade 2 will continue to work with Wendy Baker on the Hellen Keller workshop to promote resilience and acceptance, and we are excited to welcome back this year to Grade 4 Journeys into the American Indian Territory group to present their program Journey into the Woodlands as a culminating program to their study on Native Americans. Next month other grades will continue with their individual workshops as well.

Dual-Language Program:

As shared during Kindergarten registration with folks who have incoming Kindergarten students, if you are interested in enrolling your child in the new Dual Language Kindergarten class next year, please come to the informational session on March 4th at 6:00p.m. here at Strawtown. This meeting would only be for families with incoming Kindergarten students.

Rockland Boulders Reading Challenge:

The annual Rockland Boulders Reading Challenge is back again this year! Please see this form for more information about the contest. Since this is a contest with prizes, all reading for this contest must be recorded separately on the reading log provided. At the conclusion of the contest, please turn all completed entries into Mrs. Valenti in the library.

Lexia and Dreambox:

As a reminder each student has access to both Lexia and Dreambox learning apps via the Clever Portal. Both of these learning programs are opportunities to get in some extra practice with both Language Art and Math Skills.

March Weather:

As March can be an unpredictable month weather wise, please send your child in with layers. Our aim each day is to get outside for recess and at this time of the year, Mr. Fitz will start to take PE classes outside as well. It is important that each child is dress appropriately for the elements. Also be sure to take a look at this month's STEM Challenge to take advantage of March's windy days with a Kite making challenge. Here is a Kite Making Video to help inspire your inventor at home. If your child completes the challenge, please be sure to send me an email of their hard work.

Math at Home:

I know that math process and procedures are different today than when we were all in school. I know that can be frustrating especially during homework battles. Here is a podcast that explains the importance of the way math is instructed today that I hope you find it helpful.

Multi-Cultural Fair:

On Saturday, March 8th, the PTA will be hosting the 2nd annual Multicultural Fair here at Strawtown from 12-2. This free event is a fun day to learn about your peers here at school and see some fun and informative presentations.

Policy Reminders:

Food and Drinks:

As a reminder only water should be sent in with students each day in their water bottles. Energy Drinks, or any other sugary drinks are not permitted during the school day. In addition, please remind your children that food sharing is not allowed in the cafeteria. In addition, food cannot be delivered to the school for your child.

Arrival and Dismissal:

Please try to build consistency with your child's arrival and dismissal routines. Frequent changes are complex for the kids to navigate and may cause confusion for us here at the building level or on buses. We want to ensure a safe arrival and dismissal at all times. At the same time, I understand life happens, so if a necessary change occurs, please make sure to email your child's teacher and the main office at strawtownoffice@ccsd.edu no more than 24 hours before the dismissal change and please not after 12:30 on a school day unless it is an emergency. This communication is essential to accuracy when there are dismissal changes. In addition, for car pickups/drop-offs, please ensure not to pass anyone in the parking lot, even if you offload your child faster than the person in front of you.

Cellphones, SMART Watches, Gum:

As a reminder, students should not have cellphones or Smartwatches on during the day. They should remain off and placed in the bottom of the backpack. If a device goes off during the day, the teachers will remind each student to turn it off. If a student misuses the device repeatedly, it may be taken away and must be picked up by an adult. In addition, as a reminder, gum is not allowed during the school day. I appreciate your cooperation with this guideline.

Winter Illnesses:

While the winter brings many joys, it is also the time of year when sickness does increase. If your child is sick, please keep them home. As a reminder, children need to be fever-free, without medication, for an entire 24-hour period before returning to school. If your child has severe stomach issues, please be mindful that stomach bugs are incredibly contagious, so it is best to avoid caution and keep that child home. While I know it is an inconvenience, it is a compassionate and responsible thing to do.

March Closings:

School will be closed on March 14th for Superintendent's Conference Day and then on the 28th for Parent-Teacher conference Day.

March Calendars:

Principal

Strawtown Elementary

Email: candersen@ccsd.edu
Website: https://www.ccsd.edu/Page/21
Location: Strawtown Elementary School, Strawtown Road, West Nyack, NY, USA
Phone: 845-624-3473